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| United States Patent |
5,062,280
|
|
Martin, Sr.
|
November 5, 1991
|
Air conditioning apparatus
Abstract
Air conditioning apparatus with an enclosure which both houses a
conditioning coil and serves as a plenum for transferring air to one or
more conduits. In one aspect, vanes of the coil or coils are oriented to
direct air toward openings in the plenum. An enclosure that serves as a
coil housing and as a plenum.
| Inventors:
|
Martin, Sr.; Lendell (7037 Brittmore, Houston, TX 77041)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
606896 |
| Filed:
|
October 31, 1990 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
62/291; 165/126; 237/53 |
| Intern'l Class: |
F25D 021/14 |
| Field of Search: |
165/126,124
237/50,53
62/291
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
| 1819608 | Aug., 1931 | Lewis | 165/124.
|
| 1863554 | Jun., 1932 | Alberts | 165/126.
|
| 2022523 | Nov., 1935 | Roessler | 257/9.
|
| 2169109 | Aug., 1939 | Muller | 165/126.
|
| 2277870 | Mar., 1942 | Meyerhoefer | 165/126.
|
| 2884228 | Apr., 1959 | Jorgensen | 165/126.
|
| 2995906 | Aug., 1961 | Brandimarte | 165/124.
|
| 3372870 | Mar., 1968 | Norris et al. | 236/13.
|
| 3405758 | Oct., 1968 | Walker et al. | 165/16.
|
| 3411569 | Nov., 1968 | Hildreth | 165/63.
|
| 3464487 | Sep., 1969 | Gold et al. | 165/16.
|
| 3540526 | Nov., 1970 | Hoaglund | 165/22.
|
| 3596475 | Aug., 1971 | Berger | 62/291.
|
| 3625022 | Dec., 1971 | Johnson | 62/159.
|
| 4657178 | Apr., 1987 | Meckler | 236/13.
|
Other References
"Ruud Electric Furnaces UE(*)B-Series," Ruud Air Conditioning Division,
6/1988.
"Model 519E," Payne Air Conditioning, 9/1990.
"Rudd Indoor Coils", Ruud Air Conditioning Division, 5/1989.
|
Primary Examiner: Tapolcai; William E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: McClung; Guy
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for conditioning air, the device comprising
an enclosure having an interior,
an air conditioning coil with a plurality of vanes disposed in the
enclosure,
a first opening in the enclosure through which unconditioned air flows to
the coil,
at least one second opening in the enclosure to which flows air conditioned
by the coil and from which air flows to an air-conveying means for
conveying conditioned air from the enclosure,
the coil's vanes directing air in the general direction of the at least one
second opening,
the at least one second opening comprising a plurality of second openings
and the vanes direct air in the general direction of at least two of the
plurality of second openings,
a blower for moving unconditioned air to the coil, and
the blower mounted in a housing having an outlet in communication with the
first opening.
2. A device for conditioning air, the device comprising
an enclosure having an interior,
an air conditioning coil with a plurality of vanes disposed in the
enclosure,
a first opening in the enclosure through which unconditioned air flows to
the coil,
at least one second opening in the enclosure to which flows air conditioned
by the coil and from which air flows to an air-conveying means for
conveying conditioned air from the enclosure.
the coil's vanes directing air in the general direction of the at least one
second opening,
a connection member for connecting the device to an outlet of an
air-conveying apparatus, the connection members comprising movable members
for accommodating outlets of different size,
connections extending from the coil through which conditioning fluid flows,
the connections extending through a service door movably connected to the
enclosure for providing access to this interior,
a drain pan disposed beneath the coil, the drain pan having means for
transferring drained liquid therefrom,
the means for transferring drained liquid is at least one drain nipple, the
drain nipple extending through the service door,
the enclosure is generally cubical having four side walls and a top wall
and a bottom wall,
the coil V-shaped with the point of the V pointing away from a first
sidewall and toward another sidewall,
each of the side walls other than the first sidewall having at least one
opening therein from which air exits the enclosure, and
the vanes directing air conditioned by the coil in the general direction of
each sidewall other than the first sidewall, and
the enclosure comprised of an insulative material with a top and bottom
over the insulative material made from metal.
3. The device of claim 2 including also
a blower for moving unconditioned air to the coil,
the blower mounted in a housing having an outlet in communication with the
first opening.
4. A device for conditioning air, the device comprising
a generally cubical enclosure having an interior, four side walls, a top
wall, and a bottom wall,
a V-shaped air conditioning coil with a plurality of vanes disposed in the
enclosure, the coil having a point of the V-shape pointing away from a
first sidewall and toward another of the sidewalls,
a first opening in the enclosure through which unconditioned air flows to
the coil,
each of the side walls other than the first sidewall having at least one
opening therein from which air exits the enclosure, and
the coil having vanes which direct air conditioned by the coil in the
general direction of each sidewall other than the first sidewall.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is related to air conditioning apparatuses, e.g. for heating
or cooling air, and, in one aspect to such apparatuses with a coil in a
plenum box.
2. Description of Related Art
In various prior art air conditioning systems the blower of a furnace is
used to propel air through a transition member connected to the furnace,
through a coil, and into a plenum box. Through various openings in the
plenum box air exits into conduits which carry it to various locations.
These prior art systems are relatively complex since they require a
transition member and also the various connections between the transition
member and the coil housing and between the coil housing and the plenum
box. These systems are inefficient since the air moves from the coil in
one direction, hits the interior of the plenum box, changes direction, and
then exits, often after multiple encounters with the plenum's interior.
The dimensions of the transition member and the dimensions of the
connecting members often depend on the size of the coil that is used; so
that even if several locations have an identical blower, different
transition members, etc. may be required.
In accordance with 37 C.F.R. .sctn.156, the following are disclosed:
"Ruud ElectricFurnaces," Ruud Air Conditioning Division, 1988.
"Cased Horizontal Furnace Coils Model 519E," Payne Air Conditioning, April,
1990.
"Ruud Indoor Coils," Ruud Air Conditioning Division, 1989.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,022,523 discloses an air conditioning apparatus with a
blower in an enclosure and a U-shaped duct with a discharge opening. Both
heat exchange elements and cooling coils are disposed in the U-shaped
duct.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,372,870 discloses an air treating assembly which includes a
condensing unit, exhaust and air intake assembly, a filter, a blower
assembly, a heater, a cooling coil and a mixing damper assembly.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,405,758 discloses an air mixing apparatus for controlling
air flow in a duct, having blowers that blow air through a heating unit
and through a cooling unit.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,411,569 discloses a combined heating-cooling unit.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,464,487 discloses an air handling unit with a housing
enclosing blowers, a heating element, and a cooling element.
U.S Pat. No. 3,540,526 discloses a rooftop air conditioning unit having a
blower and evaporator coil through which air is blown and then flows out
from a housing outlet.
U.S Pat. No. 3,625,022 discloses an air conditioning unit with a blower and
coils. Conditioned air is exhausted into a chamber from which
air-conveying conduits extend
U.S. Pat. No. 4,657,178 discloses an air mixing box for transferring
conditioned air.
There has long been a need for an efficient air conditioning apparatus
which utilizes the blower of a gas or electric furnace. There has long
been a need for such an apparatus which is simple, easily made, easily
installed, and easily accessed. There has long been a need for such an
apparatus which efficiently moves cooled air (or heated air) from a plenum
box. There has long been a need for such an apparatus that can efficiently
accommodate different size, shape, and type coils.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention, in one embodiment, includes an enclosure with an
opening for intercommunicating with a blower of a furnace. The blower is
used in air conditioning during hotter periods when the furnace is shut
off or it is used (e.g. in conjunction with a heat pump) to produce heated
air. The enclosure serves as a plenum to which one or more air-carrying
conduits are connected and as a housing for a coil or coils (e.g. cooling
coils or heating coils). In this way the need for a transition member
between the furnace and a coil housing is eliminated and the need for
connection of a coil housing to a plenum is also eliminated.
In one embodiment, the enclosure according to the present invention houses
a coil with coil vanes disposed so that air passing through them is
directed generally toward openings in the enclosure to which are connected
the air-carrying conduits. In this way, the air flows more directly into
the conduits rather than contacting the plenum's interior before finally
exiting from it.
By using the enclosure as a plenum box and as the housing for the coil, a
variety of different size, shape, and configuration coils can be used in
one enclosure. Thus, for buildings with identical furnaces, but different
air conditioning loads, the same enclosure may be employed for coils of
different capacity or type. In this way, the need for separate and
distinct transition members for plenums and each type of coil is
eliminated.
The enclosure itself may have one side for interconnecting with the furnace
housing, which side is fashioned so that it can accommodate a variety of
furnace housing openings.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide new,
useful, unique, efficient and nonobvious apparatuses for air conditioning
(e.g. cooling or heating).
A further object of the present invention is the provision of new, useful,
unique, and nonobvious apparatuses and methods for efficiently moving
conditioned air to the outside of an apparatus.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of such
apparatuses which can be used with a furnace blower without requiring
separate transition members and plenums for each different type of air
conditioning cooling coil.
Yet another object of this invention is the provision of such apparatuses
in which air is moved efficiently with a minimum of flow obstruction and
with a minimum of encounters with the interior of a plenum.
An additional object of the present invention is the provision of such
apparatuses which can accommodate a variety of furnaces.
The present invention recognizes and addresses the previously-mentioned
long-felt needs and provides a satisfactory meeting of those needs in its
various possible embodiments. To one of skill in this art who has the
benefits of this invention's teachings and disclosures, other and further
objects and advantages will be clear, as well as others inherent therein,
from the following description of presently-preferred embodiments, given
for the purpose of disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings. Although these descriptions are detailed to insure
adequacy and aid understanding, this is not intended to prejudice that
purpose of a patent which is to claim an invention no matter how others
may later disguise it by variations in form or additions of further
improvements.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
So that the manner in which the above-recited features, advantages objects
of the invention, as well as others which will become clear, are attained
and can be understood in detail, more particular description of the
invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to certain
embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings, which
drawings form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however,
that the appended drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the
invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope,
for the invention may admit to other equally effective equivalent
embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a prior art air conditioning apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an air conditioning apparatus according to
the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a top view of an apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS PREFERRED AT THE TIME OF FILING FOR THIS PATENT
Referring now to FIG. 1 a typical prior art apparatus is shown
schematically. A blower B in a furnace housing F propels air into a
transition member T which is interconnected between the housing F and a
housing L of an air conditioning coil C. The air moves through the vanes V
of the coil C, exiting the housing L and moving into a plenum box P. Some
of the air (as shown by the arrows) encounters the interior walls of the
plenum P. Air exits the plenum P into various conduits S which carry the
conditioned air to locations as desired. Cooling fluid flows through
connections N of the coil C.
As shown in FIG. 2, an apparatus 10 according to the present invention
includes a blower 12 of a furnace in a furnace housing 4. The furnace
housing 14 has an opening 16 which communicates with an enclosure 20 via a
connection member 22. A coil 24 is disposed in the enclosure 20. A service
door 38 permits access to the interior of the enclosure 20.
Air is moved by the blower 12 from the furnace housing 14 and then through
vanes 26 of the coil 24. The coil can be a cooling coil that cools the air
(or a heating coil for heating the air if no furnace element is present or
if it is desired to augment the heating of a furnace element that is
present). The cooled air flows from the coil into the interior of the
enclosure 20 and then into conduits 28 connected to openings 18 in the
enclosure 20. As shown, the vanes 26 are oriented so that some of the air
moving between them is redirected in the direction of the openings 18. A
pan 30 is disposed beneath the coil 24 and liquid drains from the pan out
of drain nipples 32.
Referring now to FIG. 3, an apparatus 100 according to the present
invention has an enclosure 102 including a top wall (not shown), a bottom
wall 106 and side walls 110, 112, 114 and 116. A coil 120 is mounted
within the enclosure 102 and a drip pan 122 is disposed in the enclosure
beneath the coil 120.
Each side wall is made with metal bracing (see FIG. 4) to which is
connected an insulating material such as duct board. Holes can be cut in
the duct board
as desired to provide openings leading to air-carrying conduits. Cooling
fluid flows through connections 136 on the coil 120. According to this
invention, it is preferred that coils are used with Vanes oriented to
project air from the coils in the direction of air-carrying conduit
openings for greater air conveying efficiency. Vanes 104 of the coil 120
are oriented so that air leaving the coil is heading toward openings 106
to which are connected various ducts 108. A pan 118 extends over the
entire bottom of the enclosure 102. This is useful when coils of different
size or configuration are to be installed in one enclosure. Liquid drains
from the pan 118 out through drain nipples 134. By providing a pan that
covers the entire piece of duct board that forms the bottom wall of the
enclosure, dripping from any size coil is caught and transferred out from
the enclosure. An enclosure according to this invention may house
different coils (although an enclosure would not usually have multiple
coils; but this is not beyond the scope of this invention). For example,
two V-shaped coils may be used, on adjacent to the other.
A connection member 140 connected to the side wall 14 provides a convenient
interface for the apparatus 100 and a furnace blower housing 130. The
connection member 140 is made from metal bracing 132 and is easily affixed
to the bracing of the wall 114 with sheet metal screws.
Referring now to FIG. 4, an apparatus 200 according to the present
invention has an enclosure 202 (like the enclosure 102 of FIG. 3). FIG. 4
illustrates how an enclosure 202 according to this invention may have a
connection member 204 (like members 22, FIG. 2 and 140, FIG. 3) sized to
accommodate an opening in a blower or furnace housing. The connection
member 204 includes four pieces of metal bracing 204a, 204b, 204c, and
204d. The pieces 204c and 204d may be positioned as desired to mate with
another housing's opening. Also, the pieces 204a and 204b could be moved
to accommodate such an opening. The pieces are secured to bracing 206
which forms a cubic skeleton for the enclosure 202, e.g. with metal
screws. For ease of construction, an opening of appropriate size is cut in
a side wall 208 of the enclosure 202 before the pieces of the connection
member 204 are installed. It is preferred that sidewalls, e.g. walls 208
and 210, and the other walls be made from an insulative material such as
duct board and that a metal top 212 cover the top duct board wall. A drain
pan, not shown, within the enclosure 202 sits on top of a bottom duct
board wall and liquid drains out through drain nipples 220. By using duct
board, holes 218 can easily be cut as desired for connecting air-conveying
conduits 216 to the enclosure 202. Service door 238 is like service door
38, FIG. 1 connections 136 are like connection 136, FIG. 3. The bottom
duct board wall, not shown, has an underlaying metal bottom, not shown,
like the metal top 212.
In conclusion, therefore, it is seen that the present invention and the
embodiments disclosed herein are well adapted to carry out the objectives
and obtain the ends set forth at the outset. Certain changes can be made
in the method and apparatus without departing from the spirit and the
scope of this invention. It is realized that changes are possible and it
is further intended that each element or step recited in any of the
following claims is to be understood as referring to all equivalent
elements or steps for accomplishing substantially the same results in
substantially the same or equivalent manner. It is intended to cover the
invention broadly in whatever form its principles may be utilized. The
present invention is, therefore, well adapted to carry out the objects and
obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as other inherent
therein.
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